Pacers coach Rick Carlisle on Celtics alum Aaron Nesmith’s success sarting for Indiana at the 4
The Boston Celtics traded away Aaron Nesmith to the Indiana Pacers in search of some veteran depth the team needed to compete at the highest level, bringing on Pacers point guard Malcolm Brogdon for Nesmith, big man Daniel Theis, a handful of deep rotation players and a draft pick.
The results have been by and large positive, but the Celtics had to give up some value in the future to get their veteran presence in the present, and that meant giving up on Nesmith’s uneven development as a player. Since then, the Vanderbilt product has begun to come into his own with Indiana, catching the attention of head coach Rick Carlisle in the process.
Speaking to the press ahead of Boston’s Wednesday night tilt with the Pacers, Carlisle shared how the team saw his leap forward as a player as Nesmith has recently secured himself a spot as a starter with Indiana.
Larry Bird first returned to the Boston Garden as an opposing coach in January of 1998. Rick Carlisle was there for the extraordinary moment. https://t.co/8mQDrtltU2
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“We just love Aaron’s competitiveness,” said the Pacers coach, “his joy to compete, his overall positivity all the time. And that’s not to mention his skill.”
“He shoots it, he drives it, he’s beyond coachable. He’s a dream to work with. So in terms of every day, every day you come in there, he is just raring to go. And he’s a sponge — he’s super, super young still and all that. So it’s interesting, I think he was probably projected as a two or three man in the NBA. But we’ve needed what he does in the four position with his strength, his athleticism, and his defensive ability and tenacity.”
“For right now, he’s really proving that he’s earned this opportunity, and I’m excited for him to be back here,” added Carlisle.
Dropping long-distance bombs well before Stephen Curry ever did — and before the advent of the 3-point line — Maravich could also sling flashy passes around the court with the sort of v… https://t.co/OuN9RIzM7Q
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“I know it’s always crazy coming back to the team (you were on) first but it’ll be nice for him,” he added. “He will start tonight”
Judging from how he played against his former team on Wednesday, it’s pretty clear why the Pacers are so excited about Nesmith’s potential — and present.
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